George Bush released from hospital

George Bush Sr, the former US president, has been released from hospital following more than two months of treatment for bronchitis, a bacterial infection and a persistent cough.

The former president has returned to his home in west HoustonPhoto: AFP

8:37PM GMT 14 Jan 2013

Physician Amy Mynderse said Mr Bush had improved to the point he will not need any special medication when he goes home, but will continue physical therapy.

Mr Bush, at 88 the oldest surviving former US president, was admitted to the Methodist Hospital in Houston on November 7 and released after 12 days only to be readmitted four days later when his cough flared up again.

"I am deeply grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses at Methodist who took such good care of me," Mr Bush said in a statement after being picked up by his wife Barbara shortly after noon local time (1800 GMT).

"Let me add just how touched we were by the many get-well messages we received from our friends and fellow Americans. Your prayers and good wishes helped more than you know, and as I head home my only concern is that I will not be able to thank each of you for your kind words."

Mr Bush's spokesman Jim McGrath told AFP that the former president and his wife had returned immediately to their home in west Houston where he would continue to receive "some strength training or conditioning."

Calling it a "wonderful day" for the ex-president, the spokesman said Mr Bush had understood the need to be in hospital but was delighted to be out.

"He's not a man whose known to enjoy to sit still for too long, and as along as he didn't need to be in the hospital he wanted to get out. He's a very happy former president today," Mr McGrath added.

No more tests were scheduled but the spokesman said they would "take these things one day at a time."

Doctors had hoped to have the elder statesman home for Christmas, but he was instead forced to spend the holiday season in the hospital, where he was joined by his wife Barbara, son Neil and grandson Pierce.

Mr Bush, a Republican, served only one term in the White House, from 1989 to 1993, despite sending US troops to victory in the first Gulf War in which an American-led coalition expelled Saddam Hussein's invading forces from Kuwait.